What does intentional living mean to me?
I want to live a life that FEELS good to me, to wake up every day in gratitude for what I have. I do that by purposely aligning my daily actions with the natural rhythm of the seasons and by focusing on what matters to me most. Slow mornings having coffee watching the sunrise. Long walks wandering with the dog through the marsh. Eating seasonal fruits and vegetables. No hurrying or rushing the routine. I’ve learned to work with nature, not against it. I prioritize my time and energy by practicing mindfulness to reflect on what does and does not work for me. By aligning my actions with my desires for a slow meaningful life I’ve found myself and my purpose.
I’m a steward of the land, a protector, a healer, and a cultivator. Growing crops, designing landscapes, and maintaining gardens has brought me the most joy to my life. I fail and succeed many times throughout a single season. Any failures aren’t really seen as such, but as lessons to not repeat again. Plant sooner, more soil amending, different water requirements, etc. I also apply these lessons outside of the garden. We all go through seasons of trial and error – it’s all about how you pivot and “replant” yourself in the next one. Maybe we needed to prune that one connection a little sooner.
Our inner season doesn’t always have to match the calendar. Sometimes we go through hibernation periods where rest and restoration is the theme. At times this doesn’t appear like much is happening on the outside but below the soil there’s tons of growth anchoring us in our truth. Without slowing down and focusing on what matters most, how are we prepared for the harvest of abundance to come in the next season?
Being mindful of which season we are in is aided by listening inward not outward. Take notes from nature. Are you being called to pull back and restore or to spring forward into action?
A Q&A with Amanda Ecker:
- Many people feel pressured to match a fast-paced lifestyle or produce constantly in fear of falling behind. What has choosing a slower pace made possible for you that might not have been possible otherwise?
A – Slowing down allowed me the time to decompress and regulate my nervous system which was crucial to take me out of survival mode. Without the constant pressure and stress on myself to perform, I’ve been able to find my calling and what brings me pleasure. By being mindful about what I wanted my life to be, I was able to take my passion for growing flowers and turn it into a fulfilling career.
- You’ve built a life rooted in alignment rather than expectation. What helped you recognize which paths, habits, or commitments were no longer right for, or meant for, you?
A – Something about being out in nature everyday has shown me I don’t need much. A lot of past desires were ego driven not from my soul. I take personal inventory of how I feel about something or someone. How do I feel after hanging out with that person? How do I feel after doing that type of work? A little bit of quiet time reflecting typically brings clarity of what I want to change. This doesn’t mean I avoid hard things, I simply avoid people and activities that make me feel less than my full self.
- You often stress the fact that nature is something we’re in relationship with, not something we control. How has letting go of this false idea of control and leaning into cultivating your relationship with nature helped you to build the life you enjoy now?
A – Since my lifestyle relies on daylight I surrender to whatever light is available. For example in the winter months when it’s the darkest and the plants start to go dormant, I too rest. I go inward and read, and plan for the next growing season. I don’t force or push myself to perform when nothing else in nature is! This allows me to stay present in the moment also while preparing me for what’s to come. Success is when opportunity meets preparation!
- Poetry and creative language has a way of explaining things that logic can’t. How do you see poetry or creative expression helping people reconnect with their emotional and natural rhythms?
A – Depression is the opposite of expression. When we express ourselves through our craft, we share emotion subconsciously instead of hiding behind it. Creating art whatever the medium is grounds us in the present moment and breaks the cycle of this constant digital distraction. By comparing our emotions to the natural elements individuals can bridge their inner mind with the external world, making their emotions more understandable. When we express ourselves and focus on the process rather than a perfect finished product, it encourages acceptance of life’s cycles and changes.
- Community can be highly intentional. How has being mindful about the people you surround yourself with contributed to your personal growth, sense of belonging, and creative evolution?
A – I surround myself with people who inspire me to be the best version of myself. I had to learn some hard lessons along the way..
As an empath and a problem solver, I have to be extremely careful not to turn friends/relationships into projects or something to fix. Instead I look for healthy minded individuals who share morals and interests. I focus on reciprocal energy (no vampires here) and positive connections. I ask myself: does this person uplift me, or bring me down? By implementing these boundaries almost all of my close friends are fellow growers and floral designers. When you live in a genuine way that is true to yourself it’s magnetic and draws people towards you.
- There’s a quiet confidence in people who live in a way that’s deeply true to themselves. How do you think authenticity can become a form of leadership or inspiration?
A- Living authentically to me means first being honest with yourself and taking risks without being bothered by judgement. We need to develop a strong set of morals which I view as an inner compass. In my experience most people care about what others in society tell them to. I remain true to myself by aligning my daily actions with desired values. In return that creates consistency in my life that others respect and emulate.
- You recently acquired a one-acre farm in Napa Valley. What excites you most about this transition into growing on a larger, more permanent piece of land?
A- This opportunity is a dream come true. A ton of faith and patience were involved, I prayed for months about expanding my growing space. I’m very excited and eager to share my flowers with the local community. There are so many lessons in farming, I’m ready to be schooled! My land is located in a vineyard so it is extremely quiet and remote – the perfect place to be in solitude. That’s where I thrive. I’m mostly excited about getting to know this version of myself in this new season of life!
- Your partner’s work as a commercial fisherman is also shaped by the tides and seasons. How do your parallel relationships with the land and water deepen your connection to one another, and in what ways do those shared cycles influence how you support each other through different seasons of life?
A – Our relationship is strengthened directly by our shared appreciation and mutual respect for nature. It brings us closer through shared experiences of awe, continuous learning and vulnerability; nothing says I love you more than feeling safe hiking in Puma territory. Having a partner who is just as fascinated in the little things that are here for us to enjoy is hard to explain, it’s more of a feeling. A relationship is like a garden & we tend to each other mainly by clear communication and acts of service. Sometimes we need extra water or some weeding out the patterns that don’t serve us. We constantly remind ourselves that this life is only temporary, there is no permanence and that it is much lighter and easier to navigate that way.
- Nature doesn’t cling to past seasons. What advice would you give someone struggling to let go of guilt or shame tied to an earlier version of themselves, especially when that attachment is keeping them from growing into a more honest version of themselves?
A – I think most people struggle with limited beliefs. You have the choice every morning when you wake up to start a new season of life. You don’t have to be that person anymore, if you don’t want to. The choice is yours, no one defines who you are but you. Healing a past version of yourself is first about forgiveness then action. It’s not linear but overall it takes deep introspection. Take time to be still (preferably in nature) and listen to yourself in the present moment. Acknowledge the thoughts that come in and let them go. Free yourself from the pain so you can move forward. If you don’t like something about the past, stop repeating the same mistakes. Spring into action and create new routines and patterns that align with the new version of who you want to be.
- If you could suggest one daily practice to people who want to slow down and work toward a more intentional lifestyle, what would it be? Feel free to include any honorable mentions.
A – Never ever rush your morning routine. This sets the tone for your entire day. A rushed, hurried morning plainly sucks; it dysregulates our nervous system. I think that affects our mood and decisions we make throughout the day. Is there something you’ve been wanting to implement but say you don’t have the time? Prioritize whatever that is. Try to wake up earlier, even if it is just setting your alarm 15 minutes ahead of what you normally do. Sip your coffee slowly, give the dog extra snuggles.
